Inside the Miami Marlins with MLB.com beat writer Joe FrisaroTwitter

Coghlan big fan of Utley

Facing the Phillies has provided Chris Coghlan with the opportunity to see first-hand one of his most admired players — Chase Utley.

“I don’t know him at all, but I really respect the guy for the way he plays the game and the level that he plays it at,” Coghlan said.

Coghlan, 23, was a second baseman and third baseman in the Minor Leagues before he was called up in early May to play left field.

Coghlan, like Utley, hits left-handed. And Coghlan hopes to be talked about as someone people respect for the intensity level in which he plays the game.

“I always think of Utley as a great player. He can do everything,” Coghlan said. “Steals. Plays good defense. Obviously, his offense out-shines everything else. But I just respect him, and I just call him a gamer.

“If anyone ever says that about me, it’s the ultimate compliment.”

Coghlan puts Utley in the class of Yankees great Derek Jeter.

“Jeter is still the same way, and people say the same thing about him,” Coghlan said. “He still is a great player and a winner. Utley, in the last four years, people are starting to talk about him that way. I think that’s the ultimate compliment.”

Meta

The following are trademarks or service marks of Major League Baseball entities and may be used only with permission of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. or the relevant Major League Baseball entity: Major League, Major League Baseball, MLB, the silhouetted batter logo, World Series, National League, American League, Division Series, League Championship Series, All-Star Game, and the names, nicknames, logos, uniform designs, color combinations, and slogans designating the Major League Baseball clubs and entities, and their respective mascots, events and exhibitions.